Discover Ulsan beyond Seoul through autumn foliage, scenic fields, and a peaceful bamboo forest. Here's what to see, how to get there, and tips for planning a South Korea trip beyond the capital.
I've been traveling to South Korea regularly, around two to three times a year, and while Seoul will always be one of my favorite places to return to, I also love exploring destinations outside the capital.
There's so much more to South Korea beyond Seoul's cafés, shopping districts, and busy streets. And if you have extra days on your itinerary, I think it's worth considering a trip to another city to experience a different side of the country.
One of those places is Ulsan.
Known as one of South Korea's major industrial cities, Ulsan is home to significant automotive, shipbuilding, and petrochemical industries. But beyond its industrial identity, the city also has parks, coastal scenery, and beautiful nature spots that are especially lovely during autumn.
During my visit, I got to see a different side of Ulsan through these photos — from colorful autumn trees and open fields to a bamboo forest that reminded me of the famous bamboo groves in Japan.
Here are some of the places and moments I captured, along with a few practical tips if you're planning to explore Ulsan on your next South Korea trip.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Taehwagang National Garden
- Simni Bamboo Grove (십리대숲)
- Ulsan beyond its industrial identity
- How to get to Ulsan from Seoul
- Tips for planning your visit
QUICK FACTS:
| Destination | Ulsan Metropolitan City (울산광역시) |
| Region | Southeastern South Korea |
| Known for | Automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, petrochemicals, nature and coastal scenery |
| Featured spots | Taehwagang National Garden and Simni Bamboo Grove (십리대숲) |
| Admission fee | Free, except for individual attractions and activities |
Ulsan is in southeastern South Korea, not immediately outside Seoul. The high-speed train makes it accessible from the capital, but allow for travel and local transfers when planning your itinerary.
Taehwagang National Garden
If there's one thing that makes me excited to visit South Korea during autumn, it's seeing the trees change color.
Seoul is already beautiful during this season, but heading outside the capital gives you a chance to experience a different atmosphere — and Ulsan has some lovely places to enjoy the outdoors, such as the Taehwagang National Garden.
Taehwagang National Garden is one of Ulsan's most beautiful nature spots, located along the Taehwagang River. It's known for its expansive gardens, scenic riverside paths, seasonal flowers, and the famous Simni Bamboo Grove.
What makes it worth visiting is the variety of scenery in one place — from peaceful bamboo-lined walkways to golden reed fields and colorful autumn foliage. It's a lovely escape from the city, especially during autumn, and a great spot for leisurely walks and photography.
If you're visiting South Korea during autumn and want to see something beyond the usual Seoul itinerary, Taehwagang National Garden in Ulsan is worth considering. It's one of those places that shows a greener, quieter side of this otherwise industrial city.
A Peaceful Escape Into the Bamboo Forest
One of the most memorable parts of these photos is the bamboo forest.
And if you've ever wanted to visit a bamboo grove similar to the famous bamboo forests in Japan, this is one place in South Korea to add to your list.
The bamboo forest in Ulsan is known as Simni Bamboo Grove (십리대숲), located within Taehwagang National Garden. The grove stretches for approximately four kilometers along the Taehwagang River, making it a major nature attraction in the city.
Walking into the bamboo forest feels like stepping into a completely different environment.
The tall bamboo stalks create a natural canopy overhead, with the sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting different shades of green across the pathway.
What I particularly love about this spot is how peaceful it looks in the photos. The bamboo grows so densely on both sides of the path that it almost feels like you're walking through a green tunnel.
It's very different from the autumn-colored trees in the earlier photos, but that's exactly what makes exploring Ulsan interesting — you get a mix of landscapes within the same city.
Of course, I had to take a photo here, too!
The bamboo forest is one of those places where it's hard not to stop and take a few pictures. I also love the little panda decorations in this photo, which add a playful touch to the otherwise peaceful setting.
I could easily spend quite some time just walking along the bamboo-lined paths, taking photos, and enjoying the cooler, shaded atmosphere.
If you're planning a visit, I'd recommend setting aside enough time to walk through the garden rather than simply stopping for a quick photo. The bamboo grove is part of a much larger riverside garden, so there's plenty more to explore around the area.
Open Fields, Flowers, and Riverside Scenery
Beyond the bamboo forest, Ulsan also has beautiful open spaces that are worth exploring.
These are the kinds of landscapes I enjoy photographing when I travel — wide-open fields, tall grasses, and a little bit of sunlight that makes everything look warmer.
I love the contrast in this photo between the colorful flowers, the green surroundings, and the blue structure in the background.
It's a different kind of scenery from the traditional streets and busy neighborhoods of Seoul. There's more room to breathe, and the open landscape gives the photo a completely different mood.
This is probably one of my favorite photos from the set.
The pathway through the tall golden reeds, the warm sunlight, and the mountains in the distance create such a beautiful view.
There's something about the late-afternoon light that makes the entire landscape look almost golden. It feels like the perfect place to slow down, take a walk, and enjoy the scenery.
And here's another view of the open field.
I love how the tall grasses fill the foreground, with the mountain range stretching across the background. It's simple, but that's what makes it so beautiful.
Ulsan's Taehwagang River area is known for its riverside trails, bamboo grove, grassy fields, and reed landscapes, so it's a good place to consider if you enjoy nature and photography.
For me, these photos capture a quieter side of South Korea that I think more travelers should make time to experience.
Ulsan: More Than an Industrial City
Before visiting Ulsan, many people might know it primarily for its industries.
And understandably so. Ulsan is one of South Korea's major industrial centers, particularly known for automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, and petrochemical production. It is home to major industrial facilities and plays an important role in South Korea's manufacturing economy.
But I think it's worth looking beyond that reputation.
This photo is a good example of the side of Ulsan that I enjoyed capturing — landscaped gardens, autumn trees, open spaces, and modern buildings in the distance.
It's a city where industry and nature exist alongside each other.
If you're someone who enjoys visiting places beyond the typical tourist destinations, Ulsan offers a different perspective on South Korea. You can explore a major industrial city while still making time for beautiful parks, gardens, and nature walks.
And during autumn, when the trees start turning golden and orange, these open spaces become even more inviting.
HOW TO GET THERE
Ulsan isn't exactly a quick hop from Seoul, but getting there by high-speed train is straightforward and makes it possible to visit as part of a longer South Korea itinerary.
KTX or SRT high-speed train
You can take a KTX from Seoul Station to Ulsan Station (울산역), or an SRT from Suseo Station to Ulsan Station.
- The journey is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes, depending on the train and schedule.
- Ulsan Station is outside the main downtown area, so allow additional time for the local bus or taxi transfer to your destination.
- Check the current train schedules and fares before booking.
Getting from Ulsan Station to Taehwagang National Garden
Ulsan Station is not the same as Taehwagang Station in the city center.
From Ulsan Station, you can take an express limousine bus toward central Ulsan. The city's official tourism site lists limousine routes connecting Ulsan Station with different parts of the city, including routes serving the Taehwagang Station area.
From downtown, continue by local bus or taxi to Taehwagang National Garden and Simni Bamboo Grove.
By express bus
You can also travel by express bus from Seoul to Ulsan. The journey typically takes around four to five hours, depending on the service and traffic.
This is another option if train tickets are unavailable or if you prefer traveling by bus.
Can Ulsan Be a Day Trip From Seoul?Technically, yes. You can travel from Seoul to Ulsan and back on the same day by high-speed train.But personally, I'd treat it as a full-day excursion with an early departure, especially if you want to visit more than one attraction.The train journey alone takes several hours round trip, and you'll also need to account for transfers between Ulsan Station and the attractions.If you're only planning to visit Taehwagang National Garden and Simni Bamboo Grove, a carefully planned day trip is possible. If you want to explore more of Ulsan, I'd consider staying overnight instead.And if you're already traveling around Busan or southeastern South Korea, Ulsan can be easier to combine with that part of your itinerary.
A FEW TIPS FOR VISITING ULSAN FOR THE FIRST TIME
1. Plan your train journey ahead
If you're traveling from Seoul, check the KTX or SRT schedules before your trip. Book your tickets in advance, especially during autumn weekends and public holidays.
Also, make sure you select Ulsan Station, not Taehwagang Station, when booking the high-speed train.
2. Don't underestimate the size of Taehwagang National Garden
The garden is huge, covering approximately 830,000 square meters, and includes the bamboo grove, flower gardens, riverside paths, and other landscaped areas.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and allow plenty of time to explore. If you only have a few hours, prioritize the bamboo grove and the areas you most want to photograph.
3. Visit during autumn for the seasonal scenery
Autumn is a lovely time to explore Ulsan's outdoor attractions, especially if you enjoy golden foliage, tall grasses, and cooler weather.
The exact timing of autumn colors varies each year, so check local foliage reports before your visit if you're hoping to catch peak colors.
4. Check the weather and sunset time
If you enjoy photography, late afternoon can be a beautiful time to visit the open fields and riverside areas.
The warm sunlight can make the golden reeds and autumn trees look especially lovely. Just remember that sunset times change throughout the season, so plan your return journey accordingly.
5. Consider staying overnight if you want a more relaxed trip
Ulsan has more to offer than a single garden. If you want to explore the city's other attractions, including its coastal areas and industrial heritage, an overnight stay can give you more flexibility.
I'd rather have time to enjoy the places I'm visiting than spend the entire day watching the clock for the train back to Seoul.
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My Take
I've been to South Korea quite a few times, but exploring outside Seoul always reminds me that there's so much more to discover.
Ulsan was a lovely reminder that a city known for its industries can also have beautiful green spaces, peaceful walking trails, and scenery worth traveling for.
From the autumn-colored trees to the golden fields and the bamboo forest, these photos capture a different side of South Korea that I think is worth experiencing, especially if you're visiting during autumn.
If you're planning a longer trip to Korea, consider adding Ulsan to your itinerary. Whether you make it a full-day excursion or stay overnight, it's a nice way to see more of the country beyond Seoul.
And if you love autumn as much as I do, you might just find yourself wanting to return when the leaves turn golden again.
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